Kovalev vs. Beterbiev possible for November 28th in Moscow, Russia

By Boxing News - 07/26/2015 - Comments

kovalev778(Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events) By Allan Fox: Last night, IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) demolished his No.1 IBF mandatory contender Nadjib Mohammedi (37-4, 23 KOs) in three rounds at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Kovalev knocked Mohammedi down twice in the fight. Mohammedi couldn’t get up from the knockdown in the 3rd, as he’s suffered an eye injury. After the fight, Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva said that she plans on bringing Kovalev back on November 28th, possibly against unbeaten #2 IBF, #3 WBO, #4 WBA, #4 WBC Arthur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) in Moscow, Russia.

Beteriev, a two time Russian Olympian, twice beat Kovalev in the amateur ranks and clearly had his number back then. Kovalev has improved a lot since turning pro in 2009, and he’s got a back jump on Beterbiev in terms of pro experience, as he just turned pro two years ago in 2013.

“He is going to be fighting in Moscow on November 28,” Duva said via Fightnews.com. “We’re looking to offer the fight and match him against Beterbiev. Thanksgiving in Russia, It’s going to be fun.”

This is a better fight for Kovalev than putting him back in with Jean Pascal, who he beat last Marcy by an 8th round knockout at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. Pascal fought last night on the Kovalev-Mohammedi card, beating Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1, 12 KOs) by a controversial 10 round unanimous decision. Many boxing fans felt that Gonzalez won the fight.

If Kovalev were to face Pascal next, it would look bad because Pascal clearly has unfinished business with Gonzalez, who he should be looking to face a second time in order to clear up the controversy from their fight. HBO analyst Max Kellerman seemed more interested in seeing Kovalev fight Gonzalez next than seeing a rematch between Kovalev and Pascal last night.

“Whoever deserves the fight with me, I am ready for anyone,” Kovalev said after the fight via Fightnews.com. “Pascal wants a rematch, or I don’t know. Whoever is ready. Right now I want to fight the WBC champion Adonis “Piece of [expletive]” Stevenson. Artur Beterbiev we will see. Andre Ward? Sure. I’m open for any great fighters.”

Beterbiev has breezed his way through his first nine fights since turning pro two years ago. He recently stopped Alexander Johnson and Gabriel Campillo in his last two fights. Beterbiev looks good when he’s got a fighter that is standing in front of him looking to punch. In his fight against Johnson, he had to chase him around the ring, and he didn’t look as good in that fight because he had to use his feet more than he normally does.

Beterbiev would arguably be the toughest opponent of Kovalev’s career because he’s got excellent punching power with both hands, and he’s a better inside fighter than him. Up to now, Kovalev’s best opponent he’s faced thus far is Pascal, but Beterbiev is a lot tougher than Pascal and he’s got the size to give Kovalev a lot of problems. Beterbiev’s inside fighting skills are comparable to Andre Ward’s.



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